A bramble of multiflora roses,
our fortress against the invisible
enemy. Battling monsters in a
stick-sword fight of epic proportions.
Rolling down grassy hills.

Splashing through woodland streams,
searching under rocks for crayfish.
Days that would go on forever, a
single scent brings them all back.
The pungent aroma of wild honeysuckle.

Saturday Morning Surprise

The cat jumps on the bed with
an unwelcomed gift. Noticing it
I scream. Perplexed, he jumped off
leaving his treasure behind.

Looking at me as if to say, mother how can
you reject my perfect offering? Turning, he
saunters away. Holding my breath I lean
over to look at the sad creature laying there.

Slowly the mouse opens its eyes and carefully
surveys the scene. Seeing no cat, he scurries off
to who knows where before I could scream again.
Heart pounding I carefully step down.

Searching the room, no mouse to be seen,
hoping that the poor critter finds its way
out of the house the same way it got in.
I go off to give the mighty hunter his breakfast.

Tabby is stretched out full length, sound asleep
in the sunny spot underneath the large window.

Then I notice it –
The mouse, curled up on Tabby’s paw looking
very relaxed. All of a sudden they both look up
at me, and I could swear that they winked!

Putting heads back down, they both continued
their nap, as I stood there scratching my head.

Empty Lives

Hunger
A hunger so deep it devours its host.
eating away at self-worth,
sucking out the spirit,
starving the mind.
A pain so intense that it defies explanation.
The want of food,
goes deeper than just the physical pangs.
It grows into an emotional hunger,
that wraps itself around its prey
strangling the life out of it,
leaving an empty shell.
A hollow aching is all that is left.

Ann Christine Tabaka lives in Delaware, USA. She is a published poet and artist. She loves gardening and cooking. Chris lives with her husband and two cats. Her most recent credits are The Paragon Journal, The Literary Hatchet, The Metaworker, Raven Cage Ezine, RavensPerch, Anapest Journal, Mused, Apricity Magazine, Longshot Island, Indiana Voice Journal, Halcyon Days Magazine, The Society of Classical Poets, and BSU’s Celestial Musings Anthology.